ALL (and I do mean ALL) banks and retail businesses instruct their employees to hand over the money in this situation. No amount of cash in the till is worth an employee’s life. This story could have just as easily had a tragic ending. I do expect they will either fire or discipline her to prevent others from attempting the same thing (although clearly, it was the very last thing this robber was expecting). Nobody wants to start playing the percentages here, even if the odds are as good as 50-50.
My ‘dream’ end to this story is that the guy pulls out the gun and, the teller being SO savvy, notices that the gun is a fake......
Some people don't cotton having a gun pointed at them. People react differently. When I had a gun stuck in my face I got umbelievably enraged. I imagine she had the same reaction. And when you say "ALL businesses" what you really mean are large corporate businesses. Many small business owners appreciate that every dollar stolen is taken directly from their family.
Had she melted and fell on the floor, no one would fault her. People react differently under extreme pressure and she most certainly should not be fired for her reaction.